England recall centre Henry Slade to starting XV for must-win Fiji Test
Centre Henry Slade has been recalled to the England starting line-up to face Fiji as head coach Steve Borthwick seeks to avoid a sixth successive Test defeat.
The 33-year-old returns to the international stage after failing to play a single minute during his country’s Six Nations campaign earlier this year.
Despite previous frustrations over his midfield exclusion, the Exeter Chiefs star forced his way back into contention following an outstanding domestic season where he led his club to the Premiership final.
Freeman returns to the wing
Slade’s reinstatement at centre allows Northampton back Tommy Freeman to revert to his natural position out wide.
This tactical shift concludes a year-long experiment by the national setup to convert the Saints player into an outside centre.
Elsewhere in the pack, Guy Pepper replaces Tom Curry at openside flanker in the only other change to the starting XV.
Uncapped trio await debuts
Borthwick has named three uncapped players among the replacements for Saturday’s Nations Championship clash.
Benhard Janse van Rensburg, Noah Caluori and George Kloska are all poised to earn their first caps off the bench at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
The national side remain under immense pressure to deliver a positive result in Liverpool after a dismal run of recent form.
England line-up
- Starting XV: M Smith; Freeman, Slade, Atkinson, Feyi-Waboso; F Smith, van Poortvliet; Genge, George, Heyes, Coles, Martin, Chessum, Pepper, Earl.
- Replacements: Cowan-Dickie, Opoku-Fordjour, Kloska, Curry, Pollock, Mitchell, Janse van Rensburg, Caluori.